What is DCMS doing to support playing fields?
We believe that playing fields provide vital recreational areas for schools and local communities. 

Playing fields now enjoy the best ever protection through government planning regulations and arrangements established with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

The evidence shows that these protections are effective and that the system is working. We will keep the position under review, and institute further changes should the evidence proceed to such a need. However, our focus now is on ensuring that sports facilities, including playing fields, meet current quality and accessibility expectations and are sustainable.

How are the sales of playing fields controlled?
Under planning guidance, local authorities are required to protect all open space which communities need. There is an expectation that local authorities will not dispose of their playing fields if a needs assessment demonstrates a continuing community demand.

In addition, Sport England are statutory consultees on all planning applications affecting playing fields.

State schools must get permission from the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if they want to sell or develop their playing fields.

Under upgraded requirements, put in place in 2004 by the then DfES (now DCSF), the sales of school playing fields must be an absolute last resort, with sale proceeds to be used to improve other outdoor sports facilities wherever possible. New sports facilities must be sustainable for at least 10 years. 

The vast majority of applications to develop on playing field sites result in a net benefit to sport – through projects such as new sports centres, tennis courts, athletics tracks and Astroturf pitches, changing rooms, floodlights and other facilities, in addition to like-for-like replacement playing fields.

• Find out more about how Sport England deals with planning applications affecting playing fiels
• Find out more about how DCSF (www.teachernet.gov.uk) deals with applications for disposal of school playing fields
• Other information on playing fields can be obtained at Fields in Trust (formerly National Playing Fields Association).